Political Circles 'Anxious' Over Delayed Constitutional Court Ruling... "Is There a Problem with the Ruling?" vs "It Could Even Come Tomorrow"

Delayed Ruling Raises Tensions
Ruling Party: "There Seems to Be a Problem With the Verdict"
Opposition: "Likely Due to Multiple Impeachments and Unresolved Issues"

The Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol has been delayed beyond initial expectations, causing anxiety in the political sphere. The People Power Party, which adopted an anti-impeachment stance as its party line, is emphasizing the possibility of dismissal or rejection, while the opposition claims that the Constitutional Court is taking time due to careful deliberation. There is also a growing call for restraint amid the political clashes over the court's decision.

On the 20th, counter-protests between the ruling and opposition parties took place in front of the Constitutional Court. While People Power Party lawmakers Na Kyung-won, Kim Min-jeon, Kang Min-kook, and Lee Man-hee held relay protests, the Democratic Party's floor leadership, including Park Sung-joon and Kim Yong-min, held a press conference urging swift dismissal. The tension in the political arena is high enough for confrontations to occur right at the court's main gate. The ruling was expected to be announced the previous day, but the lack of notice has heightened anxiety about the verdict.

As the announcement of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol is being delayed, on the 20th, in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Na Kyung-won, Kim Min-jeon, Kang Min-guk, and Lee Man-hee, members of the People Power Party, are holding a relay protest against the impeachment (left), while Park Sung-joon, the Deputy Floor Leader for Operations of the Democratic Party, Kim Yong-min, the Deputy Floor Leader for Policy, and other floor representatives are holding a press conference urging a swift dismissal. Photo by Yonhap News.

Shin Dong-wook, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a KBS radio interview that the delay in the Constitutional Court's ruling is due to a "logical dilemma" where if the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was initially invalid, then it would be illogical for the two officials appointed by Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok?Jo Han-chang and Jung Kye-seon?to continue working, which is why the court is unable to make a decision.

On the other hand, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Sung-ho said in a CBS radio interview, "There are about five or more grounds for impeachment, and it is impossible to deny all of them," adding, "While the orders for impeachment and dismissal may be consistent, there can be individual opinions on each ground, so I think time is needed to thoroughly agree on even the smallest details and finalize the judgment." He predicted, "(The Constitutional Court) could notify today and announce the ruling by tomorrow afternoon." Regarding some views that two days are needed for police preparations, he said, "It seems the police are already prepared," and "They can be deployed immediately, so I don't think it will take much time." On the court's trial progress, he observed, "They must have thoroughly studied each issue and case," and "The constitutional researchers have probably written the judgment to the extent that they can announce it in any form."

There are concerns about both ruling and opposition parties pressuring the Constitutional Court. Cheon Ha-ram, acting party leader and floor leader of the Reform New Party, said in a YTN radio interview, "I am confident that President Yoon's impeachment will be accepted," but also criticized, "Since the Democratic Party has pushed so many impeachments, a lot of time has passed. Normally, whether it is a court or the Constitutional Court, the principle is first-in, first-out." He added, "Because the Democratic Party has made a fuss about the permanent special prosecutor and the arrest of Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, those advocating dismissal or rejection are gaining strength."

Academics and experts are calling for calm responses from the political sphere.

Professor Park Myung-ho of Dongguk University said, "Right now, waiting is what should be done," urging, "The political sphere should focus on minimizing division and conflict." Professor Choi Chang-ryeol, a special professor at Yongin University, criticized, "The political sphere is making extreme right-wing remarks or talking about dismissal and rejection, disturbing public sentiment," and added, "While party leaders express willingness to accept the ruling, looking at lawmakers' remarks at rallies, it seems they intend to reject it. Such remarks should be restrained." Park Sung-tae, director of the People and Society Research Institute, stated, "The ruling should be left purely to the Constitutional Court in principle and form," and "There is nothing the political sphere can do, so at the very least, they should not shake the court."